On May 6, KIDS Consortium hosted the fifth annual Hall of Flags Service-Learning and Project Citizen State Showcase to honor efforts that support civic participation and promote community involvement.

More than 20 teams of elementary, middle and secondary students from Holden, Orono, Eddington and around the state shared the successes of their projects and raised awareness about service-learning among state legislators. The Maine Department of Education assisted in presenting KIDS as Planners awards.

Service-learning is a nationally recognized teaching strategy that encourages attitudes and behaviors to increase citizen participation, bring communities together, raise awareness of local needs and lead to community improvements. The level of engagement helps students develop effective citizenship skills and motivates them academically.

Award winners were selected based on their commitment to making a positive impact on students and their communities, and for their enthusiasm for service-learning.

During a ceremony, students such as Sarah Eden from Orono High School reflected on their service-learning experiences.

Maine Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron presented awards to:

. Student leaders Samantha Maquillan and Kevin Paine of Holbrook Middle School in Holden. They were recognized with Student Leadership Awards as exemplars in service-learning. For the past three years they have been deeply involved with injury-prevention projects related to seatbelt and helmet use and ATV and snowmobile safety. They have presented their work to former Gov. Angus King, the local school board, other students and the public at the Bangor Mall. In February, these eighth-graders testified in support of LD 80, an act to amend the seat belt law to make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense in Maine.

Trisha Smith, service-learning coordinator of the district, said, “As eighth-graders they’ve become active participants in the legislative process … I’m always impressed by their level of composure and professionalism, and once again they wowed their audience, their principal and their teacher.”

The morning’s events included oral hearings and portfolio displays by Project Citizen participants including pupils from Eddington School and exhibit information about other students’ yearlong service-learning projects.

KIDS Consortium is dedicated to promoting civic participation in many ways. A major upcoming event is its Classroom – Community: Preparing a New Generation of Active Citizens Conference to be held June 27-28 at Sunday River, followed by a three-day teacher institute.

For information, check www.kidsconsortium.org, or call 784-0956.